Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve is located approximately 25 miles south-west of Glasgow, just off the A737 Paisley to Dalry Road.Â The visitor centre, with its shop, toilets and viewing areas, sits on the north side of the A760 Largs road between Castle Semple and Barr Lochs.Â There are two main nature trails starting at the Visitor Centre â€“ the Dubbs Water Trail is just less than 500m and heads along the north-west shore of Castle Semple Loch and Aird Meadow Trail is 1200m long and heads along the south-east shore of the same loch.Â There is a hide part way along Aird Meadow Trail.
There are two feeder stations at the reserve; one at the Visitor Centre, easily viewed from the warmth of the centre and the other in the trees to the east of the Visitor Centre along Aird Meadow Trail.
The staff at the Visitor Centre are very knowledgeable and extremely enthusiastic.
Photography along the trails is quite challenging in that long lenses are required to get decent shots of any of the water fowl.Â The usual suspects of Mallard, Goldeneye, Tufted Ducks, Greylag Geese, Mute Swans, Gulls, Grebes, Cormorants etc etc frequent the waters and in the woods you can see Blue/Great/Coal Titâ€™s, Siskins, Chaffinches, Reed Buntings, Goldfinches, Wrens and the like.
The jewel in the crown for me at Lochwinnoch is the photographers hide attached to the Visitor Centre.Â It is very small and intimate (for both birds and photographers!) and can accommodate around 6 people with gear.Â The hide looks out on to a set of feeders with strategically placed bushes, trunks and a water pond.Â It is absolutely fascinating to sit quietly and watch the activity.
Here are a few shots I have managed to get on my three visits so far to Lochwinnoch: